Apparatus for prefabricating a wall insert



April 5, 1966 F. A HOLLOMON APPARATUS FOR PREFABRICA'I'ING A WALL INSERT 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 2'7, 1963 INVENTOR l J 2% SQ HAN/(A /70u oMo/v L KMATTORNEY April 5, 1966 F. Av HOLLOMON APPARATUS FOR PREFABRICATING A WALL INSERT 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 27, 1963 ATTORNEY F. A. HOLLOMON 3,244,416

' APPARATUS FOR PREFABRICATING A WALL INSERT Filed May 27, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 April 5, 1966 IN VENTOR ATTORNEY wm WP my a4... m a

FkAN/r/IfiaLLaMQ BY j' n- April 5, 1966 F. A. HOLLOMON 3,244,416

APPARATUS FOR PREFABRICATING A WALL INSERT Filed May 27, 1963 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR N w N 25% W L fl k A M K A m d M ..\h* E April 5, 1966 F. A. HOLLOMON APPARATUS FOR PREFABBICATING A WALL INSERT- 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 2'7, 1963 INVENTOR IC FAN/f/ZHOL LUMON fi Z W5? United States Patent Office 3,244,416 Patented Apr. 5, i966 3,244,416 APPARATUS FOR PREFABRICATING A WALL INSERT Frank A. Hollomon, Silver Spring, Md., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Hollomon Manufacturing Corp.,

I-Iyattsville, Md., a corporation of Delaware Filed May 27, 1963, Ser. No. 283,369 3 Claims. (Cl. 269-46) This invention relates to a novel apparatus or jig table for use in prefabricating a wall insert or unit to be subsequently assembled in a larger prefabricated wall panel or section.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus in which a prefabricated unit including, for example, a window or door opening may be quickly and accurately fabricated and so that said unit, after removal from the apparatus or table, will accurately fit into a part of a complete wall panel'or section being prefabricated.

A further object of the invention is to provide a jig table having adjustable portions in which members of the wall insert being fabricated may be adjustably held for producing wall inserts having window or door openings of various sizes.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a jig table which is rotatively mounted and may be latched immovably in different positions of rotation thereof so that a workman or workmen may remain in one position or location where power tools and other facilities are available while prefabricating wall inserts.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter become more fully apparent from the following description of the drawings, illustrating presently preferred embodiments thereof, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view, partly broken away, showing one embodiment of the'apparatus or table;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view thereof, partly broken away;

FIGURE 3 is an end elevational view, partly in section of the apparatus or table, looking from right to left of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of FIGURE 1;

.. FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view, taken substantially along a plane as indicated by the line 5-5 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view, taken substantially along a plane as indicated by the line 6-6 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view, taken substantially along a plane as indicated by the line 7--7 of FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view, taken substantially along the line 8-8 of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of a part of the table structure as shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 10 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken substantially along a plane as indicated by the line 10-10 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 11 is a view, primarily diagrammatic illustrating the fluid pressure system of the apparatus;

FIGURE 12 is a side elevational view of one part of the apparatus, shown detached; FIGURE 13A is a top plan view, similar to FIGURE 1, 'of one-half of a larger apparatus or table;

FIGURE 13B is a similar view of the other half thereof;

FIGURE 14 is an enlarged transverse fragmentary sec- 2 tional view taken substantially along a plane as indicated by the line 1414 of FIGURE 13B;

FIGURE 15 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a part of one side of the table as seen in FIGURE 13B and illustrating a variation thereof, and

FIGURE 16 is a cross sectional view taken substantiallyalong a plane as indicated by the line 16-16 of FIGURE 15.

Referring more specifically to the drawings and first with reference to FIGURES 1 to 12, the apparatus or jig table in its entirety and comprising the invention is designated generally 20 and includes a tubular socket 21, as best seen in FIGURE 3, having a lower portion which extends through and is embedded in a floor or deck 22. A plate 23 is permanently secured to the lower end of the tubular socket 21 and is embedded in the under surface of the deck or floor 22. The upper end of the socket 21 has a surrounding flange 24, as best seen in FIGURE 9, which is disposed a substantial distance above the upper surface 25 of the floor or deck 22.

A tubular column or post 26 has an annular flange 27 secured around a portion thereof and which is spaced from the ends of said post 26. The post 26 is of a diameter so that the part thereof, disposed below the flange 27, fits slidably and rotatively in the socket 21 and terminates adjacent the lower end of said socket, as seen in FIGURE 3. A suitable antifriction washer 28 is disposed around the column 26 between the flanges 24 and 27 to facilitate rotation of the column 26 and the parts supported thereby in the socket 21. A plate 29, which is preferably square, is secured to the upper end of the post 26 and supported thereby in a horizontal position.

A table-top, designated generally 30, includes sides 31 and 32 and ends 33 and 34. A cross member 35 extends between the sides 31 and 32, midway of the ends of the table-top 30. The parts 31 to 35 are preferably of hollow tubular construction, of rectangular cross section and are secured together in any conventional manner as by welding. -A plate 36 of the same size and shape as the plate 29 is welded or otherwise permanently secured to the intermediate portion of the cross member 35, and nut and bolt fastenings 37 engage through the corners of the plates 29 and 36 for detachably but rigidly mounting the table-top 30 on the upper end of the column 26 and so that said table-top will be disposed substantially in a horizontal position normal to the axis of the column 26. The side 31 has rigid metal plates secured to its outer edge in any conventional-manner, as by welding, and which extend upwardly. from the upper surface thereof to form stationary abutments or stops including an end stop 38, disposed adjacent the end member 33, an end stop 39, disposed adjacent the end member 34, and an intermediate stop 40 which is located approximately midway of the ends of the table-top.

The end member 34 has three pairs of longitudinally spaced abutment elements or posts 41 which are secured to and rise from its top surface, near its outer edge. A plate 42 is secured to the outer edges of each pair of posts 41 and has an upper portion extending to above the upper ends of said posts, as seen in FIGURES 2 and 4, for a purpose which will hereinafter be described. Said end member 34 also has two pairs of lugs 43 which are secured. to and rise from its upper surface, adjacent its inner edge, and wherein the lugs of each pair are spaced from one another and disposed nearly in alignment with two posts 41 of different pairs of posts, as seen in FIGURE 1. The sides 31 and 32 have abutments or lugs 44 which are disposed substantially in alignment with one another and with the posts 41.

The other side 32 is provided with three fluid pressure actuated clamps and the other end 33 is provided with two such clamps, each of which clamps is designated generally 45. As best seen in FIGURE 8, each clamp preferably includes a mounting bracket 46 which engages the outer side and bottom of the member 32 or 33 and which is secured thereto by welding as seen at 47. A shield or housing 59 is secured to the outer portion of the bracket 46 and projects outwardly therefrom and includes side walls St. A lever 52 is disposed between the side walls 51 and is pivotally supported in the housing 59 by a pivot pin 53 for swinging movement in a plane parallel to the planes of the walls 51. A clamping crosshead 54 is secured to the inner edge of the upper portion of the lever '52, above the housing 50, and extends crosswise thereof. A small pneumatic ram 55 is secured to the underside of the bracket 46 by the cap screws 48 which carry lock washers 49. The outwardly extending piston rod 57 of the ram 55 extends into the housing 59 and bears against the inner edge of the lever 52, substantially below the pivot 53. A pull 'sp'ring 58 has one end connected to the lower end of the lever 52 and its opposite end anchored to the casing of the ram 55 for urging the lever 52 to rock in a direction for Swinging the clamp element 54 outwardly of the tabletop.

A cross member 59, preferably of inverted channel shape cross section, extends between and is secured to the sides 31 and 32, near to but spaced from the end member 33. The upper surface of the member 59 is disposed coplanar with the upper surfaces of the members 31 to 35. Two bars 66 and 61 extend between and are secured to the sides 31 and 32 and are disposed between the cross members 35 and 59 and with the bar abutting said cross member 59. An angle bracket 62 is secured to the member 59 and to the uhdersides of the bars 60 and 61. The bars 60 and 61 are spaced apart to provide a slot 63 therebetween. A similar pair of bars 64- and 65 extend between and are secured to the sides 31 and 32, between the members 35 and 59, withthe bar 6'4 abutting the side of the member 35 and with said bars 64 and 65 spaced a slight distance apart to provide a slot 66 therebetween and of a width cor responding to the slot 63. The bars 64 and 65 are also connected together and to the member 35, intermediate of their ends, by an angle bracket 67, corresponding to the bracket 62.

The slots 63 and 66 are each adapted to accommodate at least two locator units, each designated generally 68. As best illustrated in FIGURES :6, 7 and 12, each locator unit 68 includes a bar 69 of -a width to fit slidably in either the slot 63 or '66. A pair of lugs 70 are secured to and extend upwardly from the ends of each bar 69 and are disposed crosswise thereof. The lugs 70 are of alength greater than the width of the bar 69, as seen in FIGURE 7, so that the undersides of the end portions thereof rest on the upper surfaces of either the bars 60 and 61 or the bars 64 and 65, which upper surfaces are disposed coplanarwith the upper surfaces of the members 35 and 59. Downwardly opening threaded sockets 71 are provided in the members 69 and 70, asbest seen in the FIGURES 6 and 7, for receiving headed screws 72 which are threaded upwardly therein and which extend through openings 73 in a plate 74. The plate 74 is wider than the slots 63 and 66 the bars 69 to abut the undersides of either the bars 60 and '61 or the bars 64 and 65. The bars 69 are of a thickness less than the thickness of the bars 60, 61, 6'4 and 65, as seen in FIGURES 6 and 7, so that when the screws 72 aretighten'ed the locat'or units 68 will be immovably disposed in the slots 63 and 66. As seen in FIGURE 1, the locator units 68 of the two slots 63 and 66 are disposed in alignment with one another, for a purpose which will hereinafter become apparent.

A pair of rigid metal strips 75 have outer edge portions which are secured in any conventional manner to the nndersides of the side members 31 man, as best seen in FIGURE 5, and inner portions which extend inwardly from the inner walls of said sides 31 and 32 and which inner portions are provided with longitudinally spaced openings 76 and which openings of the two members 75 are disposed in transverse alignment with one another. The members 75 extend from adjacent the cross member 35 toward and to adjacent the end member 34 and the exposed inner portions thereof form ledges on which rest the ends of a cross member 77 of the table-top 39, which is of a cross sectional size and shape substantially corresponding to the member 35 and so that the upper surface thereof is disposed coplanar with 'the upper surface of the member 35 when said member 77 is supported on the strips 75, as seenin FIGURE 4. The end portions of the members 77 each have an opening and which openings align with corresponding openings 76 of the strips 75 for receiving nut and bolt fastenings 78, for detachably and adjustably securing the members 77 in the table-top, parallel to and at various "distances from the cross member 35 and end member 34 and therebetweenr The member 77 has two pairs of lugs 79 which rise from the upper surface thereof, adjacent one longitudinal edge of said member 77, and which pairs of lugs 79 align with the pairs of lugs 43. k p I As seen in FIGURE 1, angle brackets8'0 are secured to and project inwardly from the sides 31 and 32 between the members and 59 and between the strips 75 and member 34. Brace rods 81 have inner ends secured by fastenings 82 to the flange 27, and outer ends secured by fastenings 83 to the undersides of the angle brackets 80, for bracing the table-top 30 adjacent the corners thereof, as best seen in FIGURES 2 and 3.

Referring to FIGURES Sand 9', a pipe or conduit 84 leads from a source of supply of compressed air and extends under the floor or deck 22 and then upwardly through the plate 23 and through the socket member 21 and column 26. Said pipe 84 has a swivel joint 35 located in the upper portion of the column 26 and the extension 86 thereof which extends from the upper side of the joint is turned to extend later-ally outward from the column 26 through an opening 87 therein. Pipe extension 86 connects with a control valve 88 which is mounted under the corner of the table-top formed by the members 31 and 34. As seen in FIGURE 11, a conduit 89 leads from the control valve 88 and has branch conduits 90 which connect with each of the pneumatic rams 55. H I p p p n A guide sleeve 91 is secured to and depends from a portion of the flange 24 to slidably support a latch pin 92 having an upper portion which normally extends upwardly from the flange 24 through an opening 93 of the flange 27 (FIGURE 10) for latching the column 26 and table-top 30 against rotation relative to the socket 21. The flange 27 is shown provided with four equally spaced openings 93 for latching the column and table-top in any one of four positions of rotation; however, a greater number of latch pin receiving openings 93 could be provided. A conventional pneumatic ram 94 is secured to the socket 21, below the guide 91 and has an upwardly extending piston rod 95 which is connected by a fastening 96 to the latch pin 92, below the guide 91.

As seen in FIGURE 3, a branch conduit 97 leads upwardly from the pipe 84 through the floor or deck 22 and has a T-coupling 98 at its upper end from which extends conduits 99 and 199. The conduit 190 may be connected to any conventional tool, not shown, which is pneumatically operated. Conduit 99 is connected to the inlet port 191 of a conventional foot pedal actuated valve 102 having two outlet ports 193 and 194 from which extend conduits 165 and 196. As seen in FIGURE 11, conduit 105 connects with the lower end of the ram 94, and conduit 106 connects with the upper end thereof. The valve 162 is of a conventional type including a pivota ally mounted foot pedal 107 (FIGURE 1) which is depressed to displace a valve stem 108 (FIGURE 11) inwardly. When this occurs, air is supplied through conduit 166 to the ram 94 and is bled from said ram back through conduit 105 to cause the piston rod 95 to move downwardly and pull the latch pin 92 downwardly and out of engagement with the flange 27 so that the column 26 and table-top 30 can be revolved. Normally, as soon as the flange is released and the column and table-top rotated slightly, pressure is removed from the pedal 107 whereupon the stem 108 is projected outwardly to again pressurize conduit 105 and allow the air pressure to escape from the ram 94 through conduit 106, so that as soon as the latch pin 92 registers with another opening 93 it will be projected upwardly therethrough to re-latch the column and table-top against rotation. However, it will be apparent that if it is desired to rotate the column and table-top more than a quarter revolution, that the foot pedal 107 can be maintained depressed and the latch pin 92 retracted downwardly, while this is accomplished. I The frame of a prefabricated wall insert is shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 1 assembled on the table-top 30, said frame including an outer side member 109 and an inner side member 110 supported on each side 31 and 32. An end member 111 rests upon the member 34 be tween the posts 41 and lugs 43 and has its ends abutting the side members 109. Complementary ends of the side members 109 abut the lugs 44 and complementary ends of the inner side members 110 abut the end member 111. A lintel member 112 rests on the members 33 and 59 and is disposed between the other ends of the outer side members 109 and abuts the other ends of the inner side members 110. The outer edge of the lintel 112 abuts the clamp heads 54 of the clamps 45 carried by said member 33. A cross frame member 114 rests upon the cross member 35 and is disposed between two studs 115 and two studs 116. The studs 115 extend between the lugs of the pairs of lugs 43 and 79 and have their ends abutting adjacent sides of the members 111 and 114. The studs 116 engage in the longitudinally aligned locator units 68 and extend between and abut adjacent edges of the members 112 and 114. The clamp heads 54 of the clamps 45 carried by the side 32 abut the outer frame member 109 which rests upon the side 32. The lever 117 of the control valve 88 is swung in one direction to admit air through the valve 88 to the con duit 89 and thence through the branch conduits 90 to the rams 55 for simultaneously activating all of the clamps 45 to cause the clamp heads 54 to be swung inwardly. When this occurs, the frame pieces will all be forced toward the side 31 and end 34 so that all of the frame pieces will be effectively clamped together and accurately held while being nailed or otherwise secured together. After this has been accomplished, sheathing, not shown, may be applied over the portion of the frame from the member 114 to beyond the member 111. The part of the sheathing extending beyond the member 111 has its edge abutting against the plates 42 which form sheathing stops, above the posts 41. The portion of the sheathing extending beyond the member 111 covers a part of a sill member of a prefabricated wall panel into which the Wall insert is subsequently applied. The studs 116, lintel 112 and cross member 114 form a window opening, the width of which can obviously be varied by moving the locator units 68 of the two slots 63 and 66 further apart or near together. In addition the height of the window opening can be varied by changing the location of the cross member 114 and varying the relative lengths of the studs 115 and 116. Where the window is made with a greater depth than as shown so that the cross member 114 could not rest upon the member 35, the adjustable member 77 may be turned about so that the lugs 79 thereof will be disposed along the longitudinal edge of the member 77 which faces away from rather than toward the member 35, and so that the cross member 114 can then rest on the top surface of the member 77 between the lugs 79 and the longitudinal edge thereof which is disposed remote from said lugs.

During fabrication of the wall insert, including securing the frame members together and securing the sheathing to the upper side of the frame, the table-top is rotatively adjusted usually four times by releasing the latch pin 92, as previously described, and so that all parts of the table-top will be brought into close proximity to the workman who is standing adjacent the valve 102. During all of this operation the frame is held by the pressurized clamps 45. When fabrication of the wall insert has been completed the table-top 30 will normally have been rotated back to its position of FIGURE 1 and the lever 117 is then manually actuated for simultaneously releasing the pressure from all of the rams 55 by bleeding the conduits 90 and 89 through the valve 88 to the atmosphere, so that thesprings 58 can rock the levers 52 in directions for swinging the clamp heads 54 outwardly ofthe table-top. The prefabricated wall insert may then be lifted from the table-top 30.

The table-top 30, as shown in FIGURE 1, is of a length approximately twice the width thereof, and is usually approximately eight feet longby four feet wide,

' although these dimensions may vary. FIGURES 13A and 13B disclose a table-top 30 which is approximately square, usually about eight feet square, for prefabricating a larger insert to be applied to a wall panel or section being prefabricated. The sides 31 and 32' of the tabletop 30' substantially correspond to the sides 31 and 32, respectively, and the sides 33 and 34' differ from the ends 33 and 34, respectively, only in that they are approximately twice as long. The table-top 30' has an intermediate cross member 35 corresponding to the cross member 35, to the underside of which is secured a plate 36', corresponding to the plate 36. The table-top 30' is supported by a tubular column and socket, not shown, corresponding to the column 26 and socket 21, and is latched in its different positions of rotation by a latch means corresponding to the latch means as shown in FIGURES 3 and 9 and which is actuated in the same manner. Thus, the table-top 30' can be interchangeably utilized with the table-top 30 on the supporting structure as illustrated in FIGURE 3.

The side 31' has abutments 38', 39' and 40' disposed in the same position with respect thereto as the abut ments 38, 39 and 40, respectively, are disposed relative to the side 31. The side 31' additionally includes a narrow upstanding abutment 38a which is located adjacent the abutment 38'. The side 34' has pairs of upstanding posts 41' rising from adjacent its outer edge and which support sheathing stops 42', which correspond with the posts 41 and sheathing stops 42, respectively. The side 34' is also provided with pairs of upstanding lugs 43', corresponding to the lugs 43 and disposed in substantially the same positions relative to the posts 41' as the lugs 43 are disposed relative to the posts 41. However, it will be noted that a greater number of pairs of posts 41', sheathing stops 42 and pairs of lugs 43' are provided due to the increased length of the member 34'. The table-top 30' has lugs or abutments 44' disposed in positions corre sponding to the positions of the lugs 44.

The side 32' is provided with four fluid pressure actuated clamps 45', corresponding to the clamps 45, and the other side member 33' is provided with two of said clamps 45'.

The table-top 30' has a cross brace 59' disposed in the same location as the brace 59 and to which is connected bars 60' and 61'. Due to the greater lengths of the parts 59, 60 and 61, two braces 62' are provided. Bars 64' and 65', also supported by two braces 67, are disposed in the same positions relative to the cross member 35' as the bars 64 and 65, respectively, are located relative to the cross member 35. Bars 60' and 61 combine to form a slot 63' therebetween, and bars 64 and 65' are spaced to provide a slot 66 therebetween. The slots 63' and 66' correspond with the slots 63 and 66, respectively, except that they are of greater length and are each interrupted by two supporting brackets. Each slot 63' and 66' is provided with two locator units 68', corresponding to the locator units 68, and may additionally be provided with two locator units 680. The locator units 68a differ from the locator units 68' only in that the lugs 70a thereof are spaced apart a distance twice as great as the spacing between the lugs 70' of the locator units 68'. Thus, the locator units 6% may be utilized for straddling a pair of studs, corresponding to the studs 116 in FIGURE 1. Where only single studs are to be engaged by the locator units, the locator units 68' would be utilized. It will also be apparent that locator :units 6811 could be utilized in the table-top 30 in lieu of the locator units 68.

I Strips 75', co rrespending to the strips 75 and having fastening receiving openings 76', are secured to the members 31' and 32 in sesame mans 111151 the strips 75 are seemed to the members 31 and 32, for supporting a cross member 77', corresponding to themehiber 77 but of a greater length. The member 77 is adjustably secured 16 the strip 75 by fastening s 73. The member 77' has pairs of lugs w wnepsenam to the lugs 79. However, a greater number of pairs of lugs are provided on the member 77' due to its greater length. Additionally, as seen in FIGURES 13A and 13B, the member 77' is shown turned about with respect to the member 77 of FIGURE 1, so that the longitudinal edge of the member 77', adjacent to which the lugs 79 are disposed, faces toward the side member 34. The table-top 30 is provided adjacent its corners with angle brackets 80 for the same purpose as the angle brackets 80, :but which angle brackets 81) are connected to the inner sides of the members 33' and 34, adjacent the ends thereof. Corner braces 81' are secured by fastenings 83' to the brackets 81) and extend downwardly and inwardly therefrom and are fastened at their inner ends, not shown, in the same manner as the brace rods 81. i

The table-top 31) is adapted to support and clamp framing pieces in substantially the same manner as the table-top 30 as seen in FIGURE 1, for forming a Wall insert which is substantially square and which can include a window opening of substantially greater length than the window opening which can be assembled on the table-top 30. The abutments or stops 38, 39 and 40' are shown in FIGURES 13B and 14 provided on their inner sides with buttons 118 which are secured by screw fastenings 119. The buttons 118, as seen in FIGURE 14, may be utilized for spacing side members 109 and 111i inwardly from the outer edge of the member 31', where it is desirable to reduce the width of a Wall insert being erected. The buttons 113 are usually of a thickness of of an inch.

The fastenings 119 can be removed for removing the buttons 118, as seen in FIGURES 15 and 16, so that the outer frame member 109' will abut flush against the abutments 38', 38a, 39" and 41B. Abutments 38', 3Q and 41), each carries a hinge leaf 120 which is fastened to the upper portion of the outer side thereof and to which a second hinge leaf 121 is pivotally connected by a pintle 122. Hinge leaf 121 may be swung to a position to extend inwardly over the upper edge of the abutment 3%, 39 or 40', with which it is associated, and to be supported thereby in substantially a horizontal position and in partly overlying relation to the outer frame member 109'. A block 123 is carried by the hinge leaf 121 to form an abutment for an edge'of a piece of sheathing 124, as seen in FIGURE 16, which can be secured by nails, not shown, to the frame members 199' and 110' and so that the outer edge portion of the upper surface of the outer frame member 189 will be exposed to receive an overlapping edge of another piece of sheathing, not shown, when the wall insert of which the parts 1199', 1111 and 124 form parts, is inserted in a wall panel being {are fabricated, in order that both pieces of sheathing can be nailed to the member 169' adjacent the abutting edges thereof. The sheathing stop 121, 123 can be swung outwardly to an inoperative position, as seen in dotted lines in FIGURE 16, when not in use. It will beunderstood that all of the structure as shown in FIGURE 11 is utilized with the table-top 30 in the same manneras heretofore described with respect to the table-top 31 Various other modifications and changes are contemplated and may obviously be resorted .to, without departing from the function or scope of the invention as hereinaft'er defined by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. An apparatus for prefabricating building wall panel inserts, comprising a table-top of rectangular shape, fixed abutment members extending upwardly from two sides of the table-top and forming a right angle, fluid pressure actuated clamps supported by the tabletop and extending upwardly from the remaining two sides thereof and adapted to cooperate with said fixed abutment members for clamping frame members of a wall panel insert immovably onthe table-top, means disposed in and extending upwardly fromthe table-top for supporting and locating certain of the frame members, the fixed abutrnent members of one of the first mentioned sides cornp'rising spaced pairs of posts rising from said side and having inner edges adapted to be engaged by frame member supported by said side, and a plate secured to the outer edges of the posts of each pair of posts, said plates having upper portions extending above the posts and forming sheathing stops adapted to be engaged by an edge of a piece of sheathing for locating the sheathing edge in a position overlapping said frame member to a predetermined extent.

2. An apparatus as in claim 1, pairs of lugs fixed to and rising from said side and between which and said posts the frame member is confined, said lugs engaging frame members supported and located by said means and being disposed in alignment with spaces between said plates. g

3. An apparatus for p-refabric'ating building wall panel inserts, comprising a table-top of rectangular shape, fixed abutment members extending upwardly from two sides of the table-top and forming a right angle, fluid pressure actuated clamps supported by the tabletop and extending upwardly from the remaining two sides thereof and adapted to cooperate with said fixed abutment members for clamping frame members of a wall panel insert immovably on the table-top, means disposed in and extending upwardly from the table-top for supporting and locating certain of the frame members, certain of said fixed abutment members comprising plates extending upwardly from an outer edge of one of the first mentioned sides and having inner faces adapted to be engaged by a frame member supported by said side, and a sheathing stop swingably mounted on each plate for movement between an inoperative position on the outer side of the plate and an operative position extending inwardly from the plate above its upper edge, said sheathing stops in their operative positions being adapted to engage an edge of a piece of sheathing for retaining said edge spaced inwardly a predetermined distance from the plane of the inner faces of said plates.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 450,263 4/1891 Sylvia 269- x 999,017 7/1911 Dukes 2693'06 X 2,182,154 12/1939 Lancaster 2s9 133 x FOREIGN PATENTS 407,641 3/1934 Great Britain.

ROBERT C. RIOR'DON, Primary Examiner. 

3. AN APPARATUS FOR PREFABRICATING BUILDING WALL PANEL INSERTS, COMPRISING A TABLE-TOP OF RECTANGULAR SHAPE, FIXED ABUTMENT MEMBERS EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM TWO SIDES OF THE TABLE-TOP AND FORMING A RIGHT ANGLE, FLUID PRESSURE ACTUATED CLAMPS SUPPORTED BY THE TABLETOP AND EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM THE REMAINING TWO SIDES THEREOF AND ADAPTED TO COOPERATE WITH SAID FIXED ABUTMENT MEMBERS FOR CLAMPING FRAME MEMBERS OF A WALL PANEL INSERT IMMOVABLY ON THE TABLE-TOP, MEANS DISPOSED IN SAID EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM THE TABLE-TOP FOR SUPPORTING AND LOCATING CERTAIN OF THE FRAME MEMBERS, CERTAIN OF SAID FIXED ABUTMENT MEMBERS COMPRISING PLATES EXTENDING UPWARDLY FROM AN OUTER EDGE OF ONE OF THE FIRST MENTIONED 